To Prospective Students

PhD Students

Yale CS uses a committee-based admissions process. Emailing me is not required but welcome — it’s most helpful if you include your CV, transcript, and which of the research areas below interests you most. Strong applicants typically have a background in cryptography, security, or systems, and are excited about real-world impact.

Research Interns

I occasionally host visiting research interns (undergrad or graduate) for summer or semester-long projects. If you are interested, please send me your CV and a short description of what you’d like to work on.

Yale Undergraduates

Yale undergraduates interested in research are welcome to get in touch. I particularly enjoy working with undergrads who want to dig into a real research problem, not just course credit.

What do you work on?

Refer to the research section.

What kinds of background are you looking for?

I welcome students with diverse backgrounds to join my group, especially:

• Students with a strong cryptography background who also care deeply about real systems.
  • Example projects: Qelect (Security'25), Cirrus (NDSS'26), zkBridge (CCS'22), DECO (CCS'20).
• System builders with a strong interest in security.
  • Example projects: ZIPNet (PETS'25), AGORA (OOPSLA'25), MISO (EuroS&P'23), Ekiden (EuroS&P'19).
• Students with deep knowledge of real-world decentralized systems, especially those who love to break (and fix) things and expose dysfunctions.
  • Example: Insecurity Through Obscurity (arXiv 2504.13398), PBS Centralization (S&P'25).
• Students interested in game theory and its applications in decentralized systems and security.
  • Examples: AUCIL (ePrint 2025/194), Prooφ (FC'25), CrudiTEE (AFT'24), AnimaguSwap (CCS'24).
• A catch-all: opinionated thinkers who disagree with the current state of the digital world and think decentralized systems can make a difference.